Stroller/Pushchair for 5 year old

[dynesa]

We are heading to Orlando in 2 weeks for the first time as a family (dh and I were there about 10 years ago!).

I have a 5 yr old ds who is very big for his age - nearly as big as 9 year old dd! I can't decide whether to try and bring a pushchair with us, buy one over there, or hire one at the parks.

He hasn't used a pushchair for about 18 months, and when I got it out a couple of weeks ago, it practically buckled when he sat in it, so its a no go.

I can't find a reasonably priced pushchair locally which will fold easily, be lightweight and give him a bit of space and comfort, but I know he'll never manage to keep going all day at the parks.

We live in N. Ireland and are actually flying from Dublin to Atlanta, changing at Atlanta and flying on to Orlando, so taking one with us would have been handy in the airports.

I see from various forums that pushchairs can be bought quite reasonably in Walmart etc over there, but wonder if these would be big enough?

I see some suggeestions that say hire a double and put just one bigger child in it, but this could work out quite pricey. Does anyone know what the pushchairs are like at Seaworld and Universal?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BevS97]

we used a pretty basic maclaren for our dd when she was 4 1/2 year and it worked great, and was only £30, but if your son is really big, then he might be too big for it.

You can get a similiar one from Kiddicare for £40 which isn't too bad, (ours didn't recline, but I think it has been discontinued.
Kiddicare

the strollers at WDW look like this

in most of the parks, and like

at MGM

You can get more stroller info here


If you haven't used a stroller for 18 months, then I would be tempted to see how he does, and hire one in the bigger parks if you need to. We are taking our dd in December, when she will be just 6 and I am not planning on taking a stroller for her.

 

[SidB]

Unless your son has a physical problem he won't need a buggy at Seaworld or Universal as both are reasonably compact. On the other hand Disney.......

Yes you can buy cheap buggies in Walmart, but they're more suited for young children. If you want something strong enough for a 9 year old you're talking serious money.

 

[Scottish_Maleficent]

I think most pushchairs you can buy have a weight limit of 50lbs.
The rental ones I'm not sure about, but I have ssen older and large children in them.

I have seen strollers at WalMart for as little as $20 - but they don't look very strong.

Renting a stroller everyday can work out expensive. We hired a double stroller last trip on every visit to a park and I think it ended up costing about $150.

Got the same dilema this trip, as our 2 Ds's will be almost 4 and almost 5. But the younger has a disablility and can't walk far and the older one does not like walking at all - he is very small for his age. So may end up renting the double stroller again.......and maybe buy a cheapo walmart for the younger one if we are out shopping.

Remember too if you take your own stroller and want to get on board the parking lot trams you need to fold it, otherwisde it's a long walk.............

 

[Hilary]

Unless your son has a physical problem he won't need a buggy at Seaworld or Universal as both are reasonably compact. On the other hand Disney.......

Sorry, but I have to disagree I guess all kids are different!

Our DD was a couple of weeks away from her 6th birthday the first time we went to Orlando, and she just didn't have the stamina to keep going all day in any of the parks without a stroller for at least part of the day. I think it was a combination of the heat, the distances we covered and the fact that we had a lot of very long days - it seemed easier to rent a stroller for her than curtail everyone else's activities!

 

[Hilary]

Oh, and Welcome to the UK DIS boards, Dynesa!

 

[SidB]

Originally posted by Hilary
Sorry, but I have to disagree I guess all kids are different!

Our DD was a couple of weeks away from her 6th birthday the first time we went to Orlando, and she just didn't have the stamina to keep going all day in any of the parks without a stroller for at least part of the day. I think it was a combination of the heat, the distances we covered and the fact that we had a lot of very long days - it seemed easier to rent a stroller for her than curtail everyone else's activities!

Fair comment. My daughter is 6, it wasn't too hot, and she is a live wire. The kids do get tired, so you need to plan accordingly. If you're hitting the parks hard you'll all be weary. If you take days out by the pool, chill out etc, I still don't think you'll need a buggy. You can always check out the Walmart website for prices.

 

[Enright78]

All kids are so different. Our DD last used her pushchair when she was 3 and a half, after that she never wanted to use it again!!. She kept going longer than us too!! However she has always been (and I hope will always be!) an awkward ****** so we shouldnt be surprised!
Now she is 19 and 6ft tall! She can carry me now!

 

[dynesa]

Thanks to all who replied to me - I'm only getting around to reading some of the replies as I was away with work all last week.

Based on advice, I think we'll wait to we get there and see how things go. I know DS will not want have the stamina to walk too far, but think we'll try without a stroller and then hire one later in the day if needs be. If I see a cheap one in Walmart etc that will do the trick, will probably buy it anyway.

Thanks again to all those who bothered to reply. These forums have been so useful to me as its 10 years since dh and I were at Disney, and this is our first trip with the kids. Leaving on Saturday, so we're all really excited now.

 

[TraceyL]

We've done all the options I think, taken our own, rented and bought one from Walmart.

Renting works out very expensive and some of the moulded plastic one (like at USF) look extremely uncomfortable. YOunger children find it very difficult to sleep comfortably in them - although that should n't be too much of a propnlem with a 5 yo.

We bought a cheap done from Walmart and ended up ditching it after a few days - it was so small and the handles were so low it gave us really bad backache pushing it. We then bought an excellent 3 wheeler from Toys R Us which I still use today but it was really awkward to fold, had large wheels and was really difficult to get on & off the trams/monorail.

Taking our own has always proved the best option as our DD was young enough to need it in the airport as well. I've actually just bought one on Saturday, even though my youngest will be almost 3 when we travel (and the last thing I should be doing is buying new pushchairs !!), to take on our next trip . It was £30 + VAT from Makro and even my 6 year old fitted into to it comfortably.

Hope this helps

 

[dynesa]

Just thought I would let those of you who replied to my query know how we got on. We arrived home on Sunday after a brilliant 2 weeks, but exhausted. Used lots of the tips gained on this site (most people still don't seem to know about Fast Pass).

We didn't use a stroller at Seaworld or KSC but ended up hiring one at all the Disney and Universal parks, and I must admit, although it cost a bit it was well worth it. DS found it much easier to cope knowing that the stroller was there if he needed it, especially at Magic Kingdom which was a long day as we stayed for SpectroMagic and fireworks. DD (who is nearly 10) even used it on a few occasions!

Thanks again to all those who answered.

 

[Hilary]

Glad to hear you found a solution that worked for you!

 

[Disney owl]

So glad to hear you had a great holiday.

On our last visit we went with friends who hired a double buggy at every park. My DD then aged 10 fitted in & was desparate for us to hire one for her!!!!!!!!!!!!